WOMEN & CHILDREN PROVE TO BE DRIVING FORCE FOR GRASS ROOTS
MOVEMENT
Unseasonably mild weather is not the only topic of conversation at the Red Cloud Building
this evening. The Grass Roots Oyate invited the youth to come to the building and express
their concerns about the historical developments taking place on the Pine Ridge Indian
Reservation. Dozens of students filed into the round meeting room in the Tribe's
administrative offices and respectfully addressed a large group of elders. They stated
that they were pleased that someone finally gave them an opportunity to speak. They
painted a bleak picture of the long-term social problems on the reservation. Some cried as
they told of their hardships; going without food and heat in their homes; seeing land
being stolen out from under them. Many of the students have reviewed the financial ledger
reports being circulated and are very concerned about the unbalanced distribution of
monies and blatant greed. Concerning a return to self-governance, they stated that they
are anxious to learn traditional ways. Without a spiritual foundation, many young people
here are turning towards gangs. One young woman stated that she would attend council
meetings with her grandpa and witnessed disrespect to elders, as he was never allowed to
speak. They stated that nothing is ever done for the youth in the nine districts of the
reservation, yet elected officials continually "use" them for political gain. In
spite of it all, they remain optimistic about a better tomorrow.

An elderly woman, who travels nearly two hours across the reservation to
support the Grass Roots Oyate, stated that, " the women are the
'nation-keepers', the 'generation-builders'." She went on to say that,
" the Oglala Lakota people have tried non-traditional methods and pushed our
children into it. Now, it has created a gap in generations. That is why we are here today.
In the past, the Oglala Lakota lived in a simpler way, people respected elders. These ways
are not lost, they are innate. If we have faith in the sacred pipe, we can regain our
dignity and strength."

Dale Looks Twice, spokesman for the Grass Roots Oyate, stated, "Our
actions here are creating a "snowball" effect; many other reservations are ready
to reformulate their governmental system. Traditionalists are demanding accountability
from their elected officials. Many tribes are watching us, our actions will serve as a
catalyst for all tribes to abolish the 'oppressive monster' - the Indian Reorganization
Act government system."

The Grass Roots Oyate have maintained control of the Oglala Sioux
Tribe's administrative offices since January 16th. They have declared their
sovereign immunity under the guidelines of the 1868 Treaty at Fort Laramie. The seven
bands of the Great Sioux Nation are one of the few tribes that have a treaty in active,
full force. In their 38th day of the peaceful occupation, they are standing on
their original demand to remove the Tribe's Treasurer, Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs for
gross misconduct and mismanagement of federal funds allocated to the members of the tribe.
Further, they are demanding a referendum vote to abolish the I.R.A. government policy and
return to a more culturally based system. There are a total of nine demands, none of which
have been met as of this writing.